CJ expresses displeasure over Balochistan worsening situation

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said that despite a new government in place, the situation in Balochistan has turned worse.The chief justice made this comment while hearing the Balochistan law and order case here on Wednesday.Then apex court bench observed that the former government failed to protect the people of the province and everyone hoped the new government will change things for better, however, the situation has not improved.The chief justice further lamented zero progress in the missing persons’ case.Commenting on the sectarian violence in the province, Chief Justice Chaudhry said only one community is being targeted by the extremists.He added that the militants are strengthening because of the government’s soft stance.Chief Secretary Balochistan who appeared before the court today admitted that the situation in Balochistan has turned worse but assured that the police were more active than before and have been raiding and arresting suspects.The Chief Justice has also sought report of target killing, sectarian incidents, and missing persons’ recovery.Counsel for the Balochistan government, Shahid Hamid, apprised the court over the performance of law-enforcers in the province.Moreover, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry also sought from the federal and all four provincial governments to announce a date for holding local government elections in the country.The bench told the deputy attorney general of Pakistan that the federal government had one days time to submit its reply in this regards failure to which the court would decide a date itself.Justice Iftikhar further said that local government elections had been announced for September 15 in all Cantonment areas, adding that it would be a commendable step if a nearby date was announced for the holding of local government polls in the rest of the country as well.The hearing over the case was adjourned until Thursday (July 18).